Excursions

Pre-Symposium Excursion – A Journey through the Historical Gardens of Northern and Central Portugal

2nd – 5th May 2018

(Optional)

This four-day trip will enable you to discover the landscape art of the historical and botanical gardens of Northern and Central Portugal. You will discover recreational estates, monastic grounds, manor gardens and botanical gardens (Porto and Coimbra) and the Alto Douro Vinhateiro landscape – notable examples of the cultural and artistic expression of various periods and styles ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

5 p.m.
Check-in at Hotel do Toural, Largo do Toural. Free for dinner – suggestion of restaurants in the historic centre.

9 a.m. Departure to Vila Real – Mateus10.30 a.m.
Visit to the Gardens of the Solar de Mateus Continue to the Douro Valley – Pinhão1 p.m Boarding for a ‘Rebelo’ boat ride with a picnic on board. This mini-cruise along the river will pass by the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, a UNESCO cultural heritage landscape.

3 p.m. Visit to Quinta do Bomfim and Port wine tasting. Visit to a Historical Quinta to appreciate a different perspective of the Douro Valley.

4 p.m. Departure to Lousada

5.30 p.m. Visit to the Gardens of Casa de Juste, Lousada, followed by dinner.

A mid-symposium excursion is included with your registration. Additionally, you can choose to attend a pre-symposium and/or post-symposium excursion (additional fees apply).

Mid-symposium excursion (more info will be added) will be held in Sintra. Cultural Landscape of Sintra was classified World Heritage by UNESCO in 1995.

Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua S.A. (PSML) has, among other missions, the responsibility to manage the most important natural and cultural values located in the area of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra and in Queluz: the Park and Palace of Pena, the Gardens and the Palace of Monserrate, the Moorish Castle, the Convent of the Capuchos, the Garden and Chalet of the Countess of Edla and, since 2012, the National Palaces of Sintra and Queluz and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art based at the historic Gardens of Queluz, with performances and training sessions open to the general public at the Henrique Calado Riding Ring (Belém).

The management of these properties involves their restoration, requalification, revitalisation, conservation, research, publicity and operation, opening them to public fruition and enhancing their touristic valour.

For the excursions, please bring with you trekking shoes, windbreaker, sun-protection cream and sun hat. Lunch boxes and water will be provided. The temperatures can range between 15 and 22 °C, with very little probability of rain.

12th–18th May 2018

Post-symposium excursion to Azores islands. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the archipelago of the Azores is the westernmost part of Europe and the meeting point of unique plant species. Of recent volcanic origin and a temperate oceanic climate, the Azores are an isolated archipelago spread in 9 islands along 600Km. The rich natural history associated with a recent but intensive human settlement, show a diversity of habitats and landscapes where colonization, adaptation and speciation processes are evolving before our eyes. From peat bogs to lava flows of chasmophyte vegetation and Laurel forest, Azorean endemic vegetation is an interesting and beautiful starting point for a visit to one of the hidden gems of the Atlantic.
The fee includes accommodation, meals, airflights, bus transfers.

A journey across three Azores islands

This seven-day trip will enable you to discover the landscape and gardens of Faial, Flores and S. Miguel, Azores islands.

Day 1
Saturday,
12th May

Day 2Sunday,
13th May

Day 3Monday,
14th May

Day 4
Tuesday,
15th May

Day 5
Wednesday,
16th May

Day 6
Thursday,
17th May

Day 7
Friday,
18th May

3 p.m Departure from Lisbon to Faial4.45 p.m
Arrival at Horta airport and private transportation with local assistant of hotel unit in the city of Horta, Hotel do Canal 4 *, check-in procedures, accommodation, free dinner.

Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant

9.30 a.m Full day visit to the island of Faial, Horta Botanical Garden Caldeira, Capelinhos Volcano and Monte da Guia complex with lunch at a local restaurant. Free dinner.

Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant

10.15 a.m
Departure from Horta to island of Flores

11.00 a.m
Arrival at Santa Cruz airport and private transportation with local assistant of Aldeia da Cuada. Lunch and dinner at the venue. Possibility of hikes.

Breakfast at Aldeia da Cuada

9.30 a.m
Full day visit to the island of Flores: Central Plateau, Rocha dos Bordões, Fajã Grande and The Boqueirão Interpretation Centre with lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at Aldeia da Cuada.